Matlock Bath illuminations will be
officially opened on the 3 September, 2011 at 7pm and the season will run
until 29 October 2011. Visit
Derwent Gardens on Saturday and Sunday
from 7pm for family entertainment and 8pm
for a
parade of Illuminated and decorated boats.

An admission
charge is made for adults to Derwent Gardens. Children (under 16) and
disabled persons free. Full details and to book ring 01629 583388.

PROGRAMME

Every
Saturday and Sunday during the season from 7pm -
Family Entertainment at/near the bandstand in Derwent Gardens is
provided

A park and ride scheme will
operate for the firework displays only. A Park and Ride service
operates on the firework nights from Cromford Meadows and County Offices in
Matlock. Please read the note below from the
promoters of the event.

Derbyshire Dales District
Council Statement. - "Programme times and content are subject to
change. DDDC accept no liability for any cancellation or change. Ring 01629
761930 for more details."

For further information
not available on this independent website: please see above for contact points.

THE FEATURE

Matlock Bath, dates from the establishment of the first bath in the late
l690s. It was little more than a stone structure filled by a thermal spring,
with a constant temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. As the number of
visitors who came to benefit from the medicinal qualities of the warm spring
water increased, some development to improve the facilities took place.

The thermal qualities of Matlock Bath's water, and the added
attraction of beautiful scenery, assisted its development as a tourist
attraction. During the 17th century, visitors came seeking cures from the
waters for their aches and pains and by the 18th century it had become a
fashionable resort. Visits made by
Queen
Victoria,
in 1832 and 1844, improved its reputation further as a society venue. Lord
Byron, compared it with Switzerland and it soon adopted the name of 'Little
Switzerland.' Today, Matlock Bath's alpine character is emphasised by the
cable car ride up to The Heights of Abraham.

Everything changed with the arrival of the Midland Railway, bringing with it
day-trippers by the thousand. This quickly drove away the so-called ‘persons
of quality’ to neighbouring Matlock Bank. Here, John Smedley had opened a
hydropathic establishment, in much more genteel surroundings, well away from
the hordes. Nowadays Matlock Bath is a busy tourist resort, attracting
both day trippers and long stay holiday makers.

The highlights of the year are the Illuminations and Venetian Nights.
The riverbanks, decorated by illuminated displays and the cliffs floodlit,
offer a truly memorable show. The Venetian Nights take place on
Saturdays and Sundays, when decorated boats, with coloured lights
twinkling, glide down the river. A magical experience enjoyed by people of
all ages.

The annual
Matlock Bath Illuminations and Venetian Nights originated in Victorian
times, when the residents illuminated the area with fairy lamps, followed by
a procession of illuminated boats on the river, to celebrate Queen
Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Originally candle powered, the illuminations
pre-date the well known Blackpool Illuminations.

It is best to
arrive early well before the illuminations are switched on, particularly at
the weekend when it is invariably busy. The firework displays attract large
crowds and provide excellent entertainment for people of all ages. There is
plenty to see and do in Matlock Bath, when you can drag yourself away from
the shops, cafes and amusements. The Peak District Mining Museum and Temple
Mine (featured on this site) are very popular as is a cable car visit to The
Heights of Abraham. Children love Gulliver's Kingdom, and
the site previously occupied by the hydro is now an aquarium.

No
recommendation of any establishment is implied by inclusion on this
website.

MATLOCK BATH ILLUMINATIONS AND VENETIAN NIGHTS

Lights
switched-on fromSaturday 3 September, 2011 at 7pm
and then every night until
Saturday 29 October 2011.

The parade of Illuminated and decorated
boats takes place at 8.00pm every Saturday and Sunday during the season –
with a programme of family entertainment in or near the bandstand in Derwent
Gardens each evening, commencing at 7.00pm.

An admission
charge is made for adults to Derwent Gardens. Children (under 16) and
disabled persons free. Full details and to book ring 01629 583388.

Clifftopfirework displays 9pm Saturdays 17 September and 1, 15 and 29 October 2011.

PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE
LOCALITY

Mining Museum and Temple Mine
(Tel. 01629 583834)where you get a very realistic impression of what
the conditions used to be like for men who toiled underground. After
completing your absorbing tour of the museum you can visit Temple Mine that
has been worked since 1922. The museum is open daily throughout the year.
Temple Mine is open on a reduced basis in the winter. For further
information see the special
feature

National Stone Centre, Wirksworth
(Tel. 01629 824833)tells the story of stone, its geological and
industrial history. The exhibition inside shows how advanced technology
makes use of stone in an incredible number of ways. Outside the visitor
centre, the quarry trail takes you back over three million years. Open
daily.

The Heights of Abraham
(Tel. 01629 582365)where you can take a spectacular journey by cable
car to explore two show caverns, follow woodland trails and enjoy the
magnificent view from the Treetops café and restaurant. Children’s play area
and shop. For further information website: www.heights-of-abraham.co.uk

IMAGES

All the images
on this page have been kindly supplied by Phil Murfin.

MATLOCK BATH FEATURE

Nestling beneath limestone cliffs with the River Derwent flowing below, in a
beautiful wooded valley, is the popular tourist centre of Matlock Bath. The
town has been a tourist attraction since visitors came to bathe in the
thermal waters. It's beautiful scenery was compared to that of Switzerland
and, together with the thermal qualities of the water, added to the
attraction of the area.